1,438 reviews. Belvedere Apartments are box fresh and have spa access. The city of Rethymnon (you might also see it spelt Rethymno or Rethimno) is like a smaller, more chilled version of Chania. Sitia, windsurf and nice beaches For a taste of the less touristy places on the island, Sitia is your town where to stay in Crete. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. The landscape is dry and barren, and the beaches largely empty. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Royal Blue Resort. There are many dining options from Greek to Italian and the four bars serve up wonderful cocktails. For those who love to explore there are ruins all over the area dating from the Neolithic and Roman periods which, with a bit of tenacity can be uncovered and discovered. Coastal perfection. See More, A vast contemporary beach resort with all the trimmings, lush grounds, four pools and private beach area. Transfer time: 1hr from Heraklion International airport. Courgette balls, broad beans, moussaka and mezedakia. Concur with these, we love Crete. The upmarket vibe of Elounda is rubbing off on the small nearby village of Plaka, which is ideal with those looking for a quiet and peaceful holiday. Boutique and luxury: Cressa Corona Boutique Hotel is the best address in town. See More, Blue Palace, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, A holistic approach to wellbeing underlies the luxury, Equally swish and perhaps just that little bit smarter the. Dorm rooms are available for the budget traveller at Rethymno Youth Hostel. For those who dont fancy a steep, heady climb on their holidays, it is possible to hire a fishing boat in Agia Roumeli to take you to Domata. It is a port city that offers an urban vibe with a touch of nature. If youve braved the paddle (or walked over the sandbar leading to the island) youll be rewarded with water that is the temperature of bathwater, soft pink sand (particular to this area only), and pictures that youll treasurePrizes awarded for spotting a sea turtleand deducted for duckface Instagram postsenjoy! If finding tucked-away coves and exploring craggy rocks appeals to you then Milatos a small quaint Crete village may be the place for you. But almost every island has at least a few great swimming beaches. The coastline between these cities is the busiest and most developed part of the island. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. The city has an airport which makes this place a number one spot to start exploring the area. Including the five star beach resorts, family friendly hotels on Crete and great value finds. Chora Sfakion: A few upmarket options here such as the No Problem Luxury Suite (it has a bathtub), and the excellent value Livikon Hotel and Samaria Hotel which both have fresh white and blue decor and seaview balconies. Ierapetra is known as the capital of the south coast as its the biggest town along the coast, and one of the southernmost towns in Europe. There is no shortage of boutique in the winding Venetian streets of the old town. There are actually three beaches within walking distance from the cobbled stone street village, all of which are pretty shallow and nestled amongst some really lovely local topography, allowing for some rather nice snorkelling experiences. Its only a matter of steps to the beach. Lasithi, the easternmost province of Crete, is home to some of its most luxurious hotels as well as its wildest and most traditional areas. The walk can take upwards of two hours depending on ability and speed, but also inclination, make sure you take your time to soak up the beautiful views and atmosphere. Transfer time: 1hr 40 minutes from Chania International airport. You can find private plunge pools at Miramare Resort & Spa. The area is popular with locals, which should tell you something, and as a result, the beachside cuisine in the local tavernas is to a pretty high standard. . 1. There are lots of good value hotels in Sitia, though in general decor is a tad dated check Booking.com for prices and availability. That said, there are bus links to Rethymno and Heraklion so car hire is not necessary. There is an increasing number of upmarket resorts in Sissi. Angela Suites Boutique Hotel is all whites and blues and has a pool. The Spinalonga peninsula is connected to the town by a causeway the peninsula curves right around and the UNESCO-listed island sits at its tip, creating a natural harbour sheltered from the elements. Triopetra is surrounded by Siderotas mountain, olives groves, and of course, the seafront, the area is named after the three majestic rocks that rise out of the ocean at the edge of the peninsula. Ferries leave Sitia once a week for Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kassos. The older part of town (Ano Hersonissos or Palia Hersonissos) is set back from the coast and has lots of little family-run tavernas. Fortunately, the prices in Elounda dont have a Hollywood price tag. Plakias is one of the nicest small resorts on Crete. Some swim-up rooms are available. Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. And if you'd like your own private pool, as well as access to a private beach, Refine your search to our Guru's recommendations for. Clearly, the island has so much more to offer aside from the famous mythology and legends, there are also sites of architectural, historical, and natural importance, that will leave any visitor completely enthralled! If you're looking for a quiet, isolated experience . Mykonos is relatively small and you can easily drive around in a day. See More, Luxury beach resort just minutes from Agios Nikolaos. It has a quiet and authentic atmosphere and a well-sheltered beach its one of the best places in Crete for families with small children. The walk between these two areas is truly stunning, the path along the way is marked with cairns to guide your route thankfully as it is easy to get distracted by the views! If you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. A spoiling stay. The White Houses are traditional waterfront houses decorated in local antiques and cool whites and blues. Transfer time: 15-45 minutes from Chania International airport. Take your pick from three gourmet restaurants and bars, including a poolside bar. Did somebody say wine? It is truly non-commercialised, and we hope it stays that way. See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. Each of these areas offers exceptional hotels, fantastic dining, and a wide range of nearby . If it gets a bit too quiet for you, Diskos is only around the corner, where tented villagers of camping earthy types take up half the beach, and you can buy handmade trinkets from pop-up hippy shops. BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Domes Noruz, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort, Domes of Elounda. For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. Anissaras, Hersonissos, Crete. A small town located on a small peninsula in southwest Crete, Paleochora is ideal if you want a bit of both. It attracts independent travellers and plenty of returners and is a popular base for hiking in the area. #30 Best Value of 32 Crete Luxury Beach Resorts Just dont expect to find authentic Crete here. Several celebrities (including Brad and Angelina in happier days) have been spotted walking on its sandy shores, this combined with it being a hotspot for European dignitaries just adds to the appeal. But what you will find is a collection of properly local eateries, a few small and sandy beaches, and crystal clear water if you want to go for a dip. Highly discreet, with striking designs, each hotel is different. Falassarna is home to one of the best beaches on Crete vast, sandy, and relatively undeveloped. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next beach break? Head east from Sitia and you eventually reach is Paleokastro, a windswept resort with an edge-of-the-world feel and some of the best windsurfing in Europe. Heading to the beautiful Greek island of Crete this year? Very good. Packages to Stalis are available through TUI. This is Crete off-the-beaten-track. a rundown of Crete's quieter resorts and villages; the best places to stay for couples, families and nature CRETE OVERVIEW BEST LUXURY HOTELS: Domes of Elounda, Daios Cove, Abaton Island Resort and Spa, Domes Noruz. It is famous for its never-ending stretch of sand, fabulous sunsets and peaceful atmosphere. Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. Historically all of the tourist accommodation has been outside the city in the summer resorts. Kissamos is a working port town on the northwestern edge of Crete. Total bliss. Transfer time: 30 minutes from Heraklion airport. On the beautiful beach of Kolymbari, 20 km from the city of Chania, lies Grand Bay Beach Resort. Crete is a large island the fifth largest in the Mediterranean and you can find whatever youre looking for in each region. A good selection of bars and restaurants. Its not particularly health and safety friendly, but if you are brave enough youll be rewarded with a view of a hidden church built within the caves. Transfer time: 1 hr 40 minutes from both Chania and Heraklion airports. #1 Best Value of 1,305 Crete Beach Hotels "Beach - Currently sitting on the beach I can tell you it is a little sun trap! The one thing I would highly recommend is getting sea shoes as there are sea urchins on the rocks!! On a budget? Swimmers will prefer the deep water at Episkopi. Best Places in Crete to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. A collection of understated luxury rooms and bungalows are elegantly decorated with simple white walls and minimalist artworks. Boasting four stars, rooms are dressed in a traditional style; premium linens complement exposed stone walls and the best suites have terraces with sea views. Many boat trips, excursions, and day tours are available, and its possible to make some journeys (such as hiking the Samaria Gorge) yourself by bus. Classy Veneziano Boutique Hotel is in a beautifully renovated historic building. Few make it out this far, despite its calling card the impressive (but empty) Venetian castle on its shore. The town isnt strictly a beach resort, so theres plenty to see and do besides basking. })(); For all the legal bits go to myDisclaimer and Privacy Policy, Cretan cooking experience in the mountains, check rooms and availability on Booking.com, 10 Perfect Gifts for Foodies Who Love Greece (Ideal for a Hamper), 10 Best Places for a Sunny Winter City Break in Europe. Enjoyed this post? Both a beautiful and quiet place to visit in Crete. The infamous resort of Malia is known for its 24hr party scene its the best spot for nightlife on Crete, as legions of teenage boys well know. Up until fairly recently, Elafonisi was one of Cretes best-kept secrets, sadly social media selfie-lovers got a firm grasp of it, so it can get seriously busy in the high seasons. See More, An ultra-luxurious haven combining the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island is this tranquil, pristine, white-washed village full of traditional charm. Aside from the peacefulness of the region, it is hard not to be astounded by the artwork the elements left behind- a series of terraces in the rock face which, will undoubtedly leave you awestruck. Inside the old town: for historic charm check outBozzali Hotel with its whitewashed decor and cute courtyard, whereas Casa Delfino offers a modern take on the traditional Venetian mansion. Agios Nikolaos, Or just Agios if you prefer, is a bustling town and working port. The prices in Hersonissos are very competitive, partially to lure customers out of the many all-inclusive hotels in the area. On the beach itself, there is a tavern that sells local nibbles and drinks as well as sunbeds. Balos beach Chania Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. On the harbour: If youre after a harbourfront hotel with a sea views balcony just bear in mind that noise and light from the restaurants below go on until late. Show Prices. You cant miss it, its called Youth Hostel Plakias. Greece has over 1000 islands of which only 227 are inhabited. There are lots of lovely places to stay in Rethymnon. Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. The beaches in the Rethymno province are some of the best not as dramatic as the west coast, but long and sandy and perfect for long, lazy beach days. If you want to explore the culinary, you will have a vast variety of restaurants and amazing coffee shops. It is home to a substantial palm date forest, which is accessible by foot or by car. Transfer time: 20 minutes from Heraklion International airport. After a day at the (pebble) beach, you can step out in your Sunday best and pace up and down the walkway paralleling the seafront whilst wondering if you have time to look at the menu before you are accosted by the occupants (Im joking, they are lovely and generally friendly more than pushy). Agios Nikolaos Best for families A favourite of package holiday companies, Agios Nikolaos is one of Crete's biggest but most charming resorts, making it a great choice for families. 9.8/5 (157 reviews) "The bed was so comfortable.

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